What's the best LED system to get between $2-400?

[Hurley009]

I'm trying to figure out what is a great led system to buy. I like the idea of cloud coverage and stuff but not sure what would be best. I have a 45 gallon tall tank. Square shaped.
Thanks yall!
I'm new to all this as would appreciate help!

 

[Mdiaz2]

Definitely the Hydras made by AI they cover a very broad spectrum of lighting and come with a control to adjust lights to your liking. I have them in my 55g display and they are my favorite

 

[Jimbo662]

The Kessil A360W-E would be a great option too. I covers a 2'x2' area. I used the AI Vega Colors on my last tank. I never could get all the colors dialed in very well. I had trouble keeping SPS alive. In the new tank which has been set up for a little over 3 months I'm seeing growth on the SPS. My Blasto's and a candy cane extend like crazy and a superman rhodactis has practically doubled in size. They're very easy to work with. All you have to worry about is the intensity and determining whether to go more blue or more white. You get a great shimmer effect too. They work great with apex.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Good question.

 

[Gwitness]

I'm in the same boat for my 60 cube!! I was looking at kessils also....what's he difference between the 350 and 360 kessil light? Is the only difference the apex connection aspect of it?

 

[Dalmatia]

I got made with Cree LEDs. 240w, programable with a remote for $375, it is a 36"x14", so it's pretty big and very quiet

 

[sjpreeflife]

I have the Onyx fixture by RapidLED, I get great growth and color from it!

 

[Dylan R]

Kessil 350 if you don't plan on using apex go with 360 if you do. It's what I will be using on my cube upgrade. Check out your lfs and see what they use to give yourself an idea what it will look like

 

[juanrmattos]

Been researching this topic for my new tank (More than likely an IM Fusion 40 Gallon or IM SR60), I really like the Radion (Even though it falls out of the price range on this thread), but the lack of a bracket mount kills it for me, since the spot picked up for my tank has a 27Ft celling.

I have looked into The Hydra, the Kessil and even Orphek but still undecided.

Subscribing to this thread.

 

[RDHDDRAGON]

We recently replaced our 3 year old cheap Chinese box leds with ocean revive leds and love them.

 

[KaneH]

I have a 120g(4ft long) tank and I'm looking to upgrade my lighting. I'm hoping for no more than $500. Also, I have a canopy and the top of it is only a foot off the tank so the light will be close to the water. I would love full spectrum, but blue/white will work as well. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mrcoffee2]

Just a note. I have the Fusion 40G and a hydra. I will be upgrading to a hydra 52 for more light soon if that helps

 

[HiddenUser]

I just upgraded from an IM Tablet to a Kessil A360W-E over my 38G tank...my corals seem to be extremely happy. I even moved some corals over from my 90G where I use Radions and I'm seeing crazy PE with the Kessil versus the Radions...maybe I just don't have the Radions dialed in well enough, but there's something to be said about the simplicity of the Kessils.

 

[KaneH]

Is anyone thinking/doing a LED/T5 combo? I'm thinking about two reef radiance(or other units, suggestions welcome) units with 2 T5s on each side. That will give me the color pop and shimmer and the T5s will fill in any gaps/shady spots and ensure I get the growth I want. I figured it'd work like the MH/T5 combos. This should cost half the price of a reply nice LED only system and you get the best of both worlds.

 

[Hurley009]

So I went with the AI Hydra and it's amazing! My tank is so sharp and the color is sick. Not to mention the sleek and clean look above the to tank. Love! (Don't judge my tank.. it's my first saltwater tank and I'm still new)

 

[juanrmattos]

Hurley?, is that the IM 38 Gallon tank?

 

[Hurley009]

Juanrmattos it is not. I honestly have no clue what it is though. I got it off craigslist. It's also a 45 gallon

 

[Hurley009]

Has a very nice retro look to it from a more dead on angle

 

[Jimbo662]

I'm seeing crazy PE with the Kessil versus the Radions...maybe I just don't have the Radions dialed in well enough, but there's something to be said about the simplicity of the Kessils.

I think I had the same issue with the Vega's and never got them dialed incorrectly. When I was between tanks I had a friend babysit my single head blasto. The day I picked it up from him (he has radions) it was looking "good". It was a little larger than a quarter. Within about two days under the kessil's it had expanded to double that size...I was amazed.

 

[juanrmattos]

I think the color issue has more relation to the UV factor... When you have a fixture capable to provide high spectrums (No matter if they are T5, MH, LED) you have got to take into consideration their need to receive UV-A and UV-B to maintain coloration and thrive under those conditions (Assuming you have the correct aquarium environment and proper coral location).

the Gen3 Echotec Radion LED fixture (Amongst a few others), are now focused into meeting these parameters and now that we understand further how to use our LEDs it sure is something to pay attention to.

Please see this article on Factors that influence coral coloration

http://www.liveaquaria.com/http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=274/general.cfm?general_pagesid=274